About
Felipe Cava is an Associate Professor and group leader at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, and Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS). He serves as Director of the Umeå Hypoxic Research Facility (UHRF) and is affiliated with Icelab at Umeå University.
His research focuses on bacterial cell wall biology to combat infectious diseases, investigating how microbes adapt through protective cell wall structures. Key areas include peptidoglycan recycling, cell wall remodeling, and environmental adaptation mechanisms critical for antibiotic development.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant themes in peptidoglycan cross-linking diversity, stress response pathways across species like Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and evolutionary adaptations in cell wall synthesis. His work bridges fundamental bacteriology with therapeutic applications.
His notable awards include:
- Jaime Ferran Award (2017) from the Spanish Microbiological Society
- Fernström Prize (2018)
- Wallenberg Academy Fellowship (2013)
As leader of the Cava Lab, he mentors students and researchers in bacterial physiology while directing the UHRF facility. His Wallenberg Fellowship provides critical funding for investigating cell wall dynamics in pathogenic and environmental bacteria.
The Cava Lab operates within Umeå University's Hospital area (Plats 6K/6L), utilizing the UHRF for hypoxia studies and MIMS resources for infection-focused research. Current projects examine cell wall variability across bacterial species to identify novel antibiotic targets.
